St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-18

Sn1@< VI ~ ~ ~
Between Lexington avenue on the
east side and Cleveland avenue on the
west side, extending from the MiSSiS-
sippi river to Minnehaha street on the
north, is one of the most beautiful pla-
teaus in the vicinity of the two great
cities of the Northwest. In the north
erly part of this large area are the Mid
way stables of Commodore kittSon, the
state reform school, Merriam Park, Mac
alester Park. and near byiS St.AnthOny
Park and Hamline. In other words,
along the nOrtherly part of this lovely
district there has already been very
marked development, with thick pop
ulation of well-to-do people who have
beautiful homes and are surrounding
themselves with all the luXurieS of life.
80
Summit avenue, the most magnificent
avenue in the Northwest, and deS-
tined within ten years to be noted as
one of the most beautiful avenues in
this country, is being graded 200 feet i'll
width to the river. Smelling avenue,
which crosses it at right angles, is being
graded 100 feet in width from the north
city limits as far south as st. Clair
street. st. Thomas college lies on
S1GNtldllu AVENUE anu 10 OIlC VI lllC
growing institutions OF the Northwest,
promising to become one of the educa-
tional centerS in the Catholic church in
this region.
The park commissioners of st. Paul
have already taken the initiatOry steps
for securing a public park on the banks
of the Mississippi river. almost opposite
the Soldiers home, and really part OF
the great scheme for the purpose of
bringing Minnehaha falls into great
central park between the two cities.
BOuleVardS along the banks of the Mis-
sissippi river on both sides extending as
far down the river as the Fort Smell
ing bridge have already become a
necessity. The great and prime neceS-
sity for the development of all this
tract of land embraced in the area
herein first described is some quick and
convenient method of transportation.
If any one of the railroads that are pro-
jecting new lines between the cities can
tap this territory it would lead to mar
Vicious developments within the next
ten years. If none of the trunk lines
roads penetrate this beautiful park
region, then some of the rapid transit
companies, such as the one recently
organized, is sure to capture this bOnan-
Ia. There are hundreds of wealthy
citizens in both cities who would quickly
build magnificent homes on this favored
plateau if convenient transit could be
secured within reasonable distance of
such homes. There is in this area ample
accommodation for 1000 people. and as
soon as the merits of this region are
fully known and appreciated there will
be rush to secure homes such as has
never been witnessed in any other
suburban district.
~
By common consent manufactures
will probably be excluded, perhaps more
because they locate on and about rail-
roads and must forever cling closely to
the trunk lines in order to have facili-
ties for transportation at all times.
While this region is undeveloped, some
general plan should be marked out by
the park commissioners to widen the
existing streets, Sdy to at least 100 feet
in width, extending through from the
built up part of st. Paul to the river
every quarter of a mile, that is, two or
three streets might be be left an ordi-
nary width and then street widened
sufficiently to admit of the boulevard
plan of Improvement. The plat COM
missioners can do much to prevent the
laying out of additions that would not
correspond to this general plan of devel-
Opment. ANY one that has driven through
. St. Clair street, Randolph street, Otto
avenue, Cleveland avenue, must know
that this handsomely timbered tract is
already in the condition which fits it
forever to become place of beautiful
homes, removed from business thorough
fares and the traffic and trade which
will naturally follow Marshall and Uni
versity avenues between the centers of
the two cities.
Land has appreciated all through
this region within the past three years
from price then of from $500 to $500
per acre. so that it now brings readily
from 81, 800 to $500 per acre. Here
and there parties are beginning to erect
fine residences and the outlook for the
future of this district is exceedingly
promising. 1t has all the advantage of
the st. Anthony hill district in point o f
height above the level of the river and
1t has the additional advantage of being
more removed from the hustle and dust
and smoke of the city and being COW
cred by natural forest trees, which, if
properly protected, will last for genera
lions to come.
The st. Paul Real Estate board, since
it removed to the Stock exchange room
on Fifth street, and resumed the hold
ing of daily sessions, has taken on new
life and vim. A number of applica-
lions for membership have already been
sent in. The memberships have been
numbered one, two, three. ETC., up to
the contemplated number on member
ships this far, and offerings of the
parties outside Of the board will not
know who makes the offerings or who
sends in the wants, unless they have a
kew to the membership.
A number of parties were recently
looking over the business portion of the
city, and are already in active negotia-
tons with members of the board to
make large inves tments in the business
property of St Paul. One gentleman,
who is nonresident, has made cash
offer of 100000 for choice piece of
property, but the owners are very firm,
and hold the property at higher price.
The result will probably be some conf
promise, and if the purchase is made it
will result in the erection of a large and
valuable improvement to the city of St.
Paul. The disposition of the members
of the real estate board is to work to-
gether for each others interest, and. if
possible, to control business in the in
terest of those who become members of
the board. 1t will probably have Oh its
roll by the LIST of January majority of
the very best and most reliable dealers
in the city.
The cry for houses and house room
continues, and is likely to remain
wholly unappeased. Within the past
month a great many parties who sought
houses here in vain have gone else
where. 1t is a great pity the city should
lose people who desire to come here,
and who are SimDlV deharred from doing
so from the lack of accommodations for
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